Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season. When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

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Audiobook read by someone who appeared to not know the book was supposed to be funny. So the long descriptions of over-the-top obscene wealth, wastefulness and selfishness that -- I guess -- were supposed to be absurd or satirical (??) fell flat. Very flat. Did not make it past Disk 3.

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend NIck Young, she isn't prepared for the rich and wealthy lifestyle that he never told her about. As she navigates the world of designer everything, couture dresses, mean rich girls, and a culture obsessed with money and bloodlines, she examines her own upbringing and reactions to the inbred world of generational Singaporean wealth. As the author introduces you to the prejudices and beliefs that mainland Chinese, overseas Chinese, and ABCs (American-born Chinese) have about each other, the reader gets caught up in a story that culminates in a $40 million wedding (everyone is trying to guess where they spent the money) and a cliffhanger ending between Rachel and Nick.

Well-narrated audiobook (although be warned the narrator changes for the second book). This is the perfect beach read for summer: light, fluffy and gossipy. Kwan has excellent character-building, though, and the plot is meaty enough to leave you satisfied at the end.

"Finish your chicken nuggets. Don't you know children are starving in America?" Amusing bias from many directions in this story. Lots of loose ends, so I am looking forward to listening to the sequel, as well as seeing the movie, which to date is in post-production. Probably a chick flick, depending on how the screenplay alters the book. Ms. Chen did a great job reading, imitating voices, and speaking Asian dialects. I'm still trying to find out what "ah la mah" means. It is spoken often, the way English say "oh my gawd" with a snooty "can you believe it" attitude. Quick read.

This is an enjoyable beach read--not a lot of depth, but not so dumb that it kills the fun. I liked reading about the romance & conflicts between people in a long-term relationship rather than a couple who just met for a change. Talented actress Lynn Chen, the audiobook reader, brings the characters to life and makes the humor sing. I definitely enjoyed her rendition more than I would have if I read the book on my own.

Scads of fun. Thoroughly enjoyable as a light chick read. It took me a while to warm to the voice of the reader, but eventually I was seduced. The Markham Public Library copy of the talking book had no issues with skipping, etc.